Who can enter

Apprentice and junior chefs, who are:

• Australian or New Zealand residents
• Aged from 16 and under 25 years on 30th December 2021
• Currently or recently employed (last 12 months) in the culinary industry (chef, cook, apprentice, culinary student)

Key Dates

29th March–21st May: Online Entry Open

21st May: Video Submissions Close

31st May: Round 1 Qualifiers and Round 1 Video Category Winners announced

June-July: Round 2 Regional and metro cook offs

June: Round 2 Regional and Metro cook off winners announced within 1 week of relevant cook-off

4th - 9th September: Round 3 Grand Final Cook offs

8th September: Industry Awards Night

How to enter

The 2021 Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award is now officially open and entering couldn’t be easier. 

First, complete and submit the registration form (takes 5 mins). On successful completion of the registration form, you will be directed to a confirmation page and be asked to submit a short video entry.

Second, submit your 3-min max length video. This is an opportunity for you to present either a plated entrée, main or dessert dish (one dish only). You can create any dish you think best showcases your skills and best demonstrates your personality as a chef. Guidelines, examples and a checklist will be available to help you with this.

YOU HAVE UNTIL 11.59pm AEST on FRIDAY 21st MAY TO COMPLETE YOUR REGISTRATION FORM WITH A VIDEO SUBMISSION.

We’ll then select the top 24 entrants per region to proceed to round 2 (the regional and metro cook offs)! Additionally, prizes will be awarded for the best videos received, with the top video of each category receiving a $250 Prezzee/Prezzy (AUD/NZ) vouchers for you to spend as you wish.

Winners will be notified by 5pm Monday 31st May 2021.

All 24 entrants per each region from round 1 will proceed to this round where we’ll invite entrants to compete in cook-offs (between June- July 2021) to determine the top entrant from each region to continue to round 3 (the grand final cook-offs).

Winners will be notified within 1 week of the relevant regional and metro cook off.

The top 12 winning chefs from round 2 across Australia and New Zealand will then go on to compete in Round 3: The Grand Final Cook-off to be held at Fine Food Australia (International Convention Centre in Sydney). Finalists need to be available from 4th – 9th September inclusive. Reasonable travel costs including accommodation will be provided. Note: Date/location is subject to change.

At the grand finals, one chef will take out the Nestlé Golden Chef of the Year title and be awarded an AUD$10,000 cash prize to support their culinary advancement.

*Important Information: Entry is for individuals who are AU or NZ residents working (current or recent) in the culinary industry or are a current culinary student & aged between 16 & under 25 on 30.12.21. Registration is open between March 29th – May 21st 2021. Round 1 qualifiers and Round 1 Video Category Winners notified by 5pm AEST 31 May 2021. Round 2 (The Regional and Metro Cook-offs) will take place between June-July 2021 and winners notified within 1 week of relevant Regional and Metro Cook-off date and will proceed to Round 3. Round 3 (the Grand Final Cook-off) will be held in Sydney between Sept 4th – 9th 2021 (date/location is subject to change) and winners notified on competition of round. For full entry requirements and prize details see full T&Cs at https://enter.nestle-goldenchefs.com.au/competition-info/terms-and-conditions. Promoter is Nestlé Australia Ltd.